There are glass tubes filled with colorful spheres.The thermoscope was invented by Galileo Galilei.The colorful orbs can either sink or float inside the glass tube.If there are clusters of spheres at the top and bottom of the tube, you can tell the temperature by reading the medallion on the middle floating sphere.
Step 1: The temperature was stamped onto the medallions.
The glass tube is filled with a clear liquid and contains colored glass spheres.There is a metal medallion hanging from each sphere.The weights of the medallions make the spheres float or sink.Take a close look at the metal medallions.The temperature will be engraved onto it.Different Galileo thermometers can report different temperatures.Many people don't tell you the temperature if it's higher or lower than the values.
Step 2: When it's hot, the spheres sink and float.
The principle of buoyancy, which states that objects that are denser than their surroundings sink, is what makes the Galileo thermometer work.As the temperature increases, the liquid in the thermometer will become less dense as it cools.When the temperature is hot, the spheres will sink, and when it is cool, they will float.The liquid in the spheres is not affected by the temperature change because it is less dense than the clear liquid.The spheres have different colors.
Step 3: To find out the air temperature, hang the thermometer from a hook.
The temperature can be hung inside or outside.If you hold the thermometer in your hands, it will warm up and give a skewed reading.It takes a few minutes for the spheres to float.Galileo thermometers are not very precise.They can tell you the temperature of the room within 4 F.Their main benefit is that they're pretty.
Step 4: To test the water temperature, place the thermometer in a beaker.
If you are doing it in a classroom, this is a good way to show it off.The water in the beaker is either warmer or colder than the room temperature.Put the Galileo thermometer in.The temperature change between the air and the water makes for a dramatic show when using a beaker of water.
Step 5: If there is a sphere floating in the middle of the tube, read its temperature.
A cluster of spheres floats by the top of the tube, while one hangs in the middle.The middle sphere has a temperature tag on it.The most common scenario is this.
Step 6: If there is no one in the middle, average the lowest and highest spheres.
In some cases, there will be two groups of spheres hanging out, one in the top of the tube and one on the bottom.If that is the case, look at the temperature of the lowest and highest spheres in the top and bottom groups.Divide the average by 2.That is your temperature.Your average temperature would be 70 if one sphere says 72 and the other says 68.
Step 7: If they all float, the temperature should be as cold as the highest sphere.
The spheres will float toward the top of the tube when the outside temperature is cold.The highest of the floating spheres has a temperature.The reading is warmer than the ambient temperature.The spheres float because the liquid inside the tube is denser than the spheres.
Step 8: If they all sink the temperature is hotter than the lowest sphere.
The Galileo is not accurate at high temperatures.All the spheres will sink toward the bottom of the tube, and all you will know is that the temperature is hotter than the one on the lowest sphere.The spheres sink in high temperatures because the liquid in the tube becomes less dense.